From a distance: It’s so frustrating that that Hossein Derakhshan (Hoder) is not here. Many efforts to get him a speed-up to the visa process failed. And so he’s watching online, as if outside, through a window. Damn. He’s watching, though, and posting on his blog. I’ll keep an eye on the IRC at Rebecca McKinnon’s session on international blogging this afternoon so he can join in via that. Next time, Hoder, damnit, we’ll get you here…

Jeff, if Hoder can’t get to the conference, then you have to bring the conference to him as we are doing with the Exploring the Fusion Power of Public and Paricipatory Journalism, Aug. 3, 2004, in Toronto. His name is penciled in. I sent him an email, now I am waiting to hear from him. Do me a favor, remind him that both you and Jay Rosen will be there. For more information, tell him and everyone else to just click on my name below. See you in Toronto, Aug. 3. Thanks.